Page 95 of Coal Hearts

If I didn’t know any better, I’d say the gruff ache in his voice was...loneliness.

“You hurt me, Henri. You willingly hurt me.”

“I did.”

A rock lodged in my throat. “And...you liked it.”

He winced. “More than I’ll ever admit to.”

Prickles darted over my skin. “You licked my tears. Back in the nightclub and now.”

“I told you.” He sucked in a heavy breath. “Your sadness does something to me.”

“Something bad.”

He groaned and lowered his chin. “Something I can’t control.”

I paused, trying to figure out what to say. The fact we shared a whispered conversation in a perverted castle with me naked and him dressed was strange enough. Coupled with the fact we’d only known each other a single day, and he’d almost raped me twice, ought to ensure I would do anything to murder him.

And yet...

Despite his unforgivable actions, his tortured vagueness gnawed.

He was trying to tell me something...

But what?

I frowned as I ran over his cryptic urging.

I’m the only friend you have.

Don’t fight me, and I’ll do my best to protect you.

Protect.

Not rape.

Not molest.

Protect.

“Why did you say I was the key to getting in here?” I whispered too low for the cameras to record.

He frowned. “Doesn’t matter.”

“If you want me to stop fighting you, then yes...it matters.”

Sucking in a breath, he shook his head. His gaze skittered away, skimming books and literary luxury before finally settling back on mine. His voice was barely audible. “You weren’t supposed to be here. I was meant to come alone. But...circumstances meant you were noticed, so I had no choice.”

The last two sentences lodged in my mind, echoing over and over again.

Meant to come alone.

You were noticed, so I had no choice.

I went very still, trying to figure him out.

I meant to ask about his first comment, yet stupid ego blurted. “You noticed me?”